Blues mandolin, guitar and harmonica player James “Yank” Rachell was born on this day in 1910. In the 1930’s he worked with John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson, Big Joe Williams and teamed up with Sleepy John Estes in a partnership that would last until Estes died in the mid-1960’s.
Norwegian Classical harmonica soloist Sigmund Groven began playing the harmonica at the age of nine and eventually studied with Tommy Reilly. He has performed all over the world and released quite a few albums of Pop and Classical music. Groven was born on this day in 1946.
Multi-talented singer-songwriter Robin Williams was born on this day in 1949. He and his wife Linda have been a fixture on the radio program “A Prairie Home Companion” since 1975. Williams plays guitar and sometimes harmonica.
Country singer-songwriter, guitar and harmonica player Frank Dudgeon started working on the radio during the 1920’s and even made a few recordings before leaving music in 1949. Dudgeon died on this day in 1987.
Classical composer Vilem Tausky died on this day in 2004. Tausky wrote “Concerto for Harmonica and Orchestra” for Tommy Reilly.
That’s it for today. Have fun and practice!
